NORTH AMERICA UK AUSTRALIA

NORTH AMERICA

OCTOBER 31 (GMT) ? NOVEMBER 1 (AEST), 2021

YOUR DAILY TOP 12 STORIES FROM FRANK NEWS FULL STORIES START ON PAGE 3

UK

AUSTRALIA

Dems battle to avoid disaster

For four years, nothing rallied Democrats like the push to get Donald Trump out of office. Now, they're not sure what to do without him. Democrats in Virginia are scrambling to stave off disaster in the state's governor's race -- the most competitive major election since Trump left the White House. The surprisingly tight contest has exposed the depth of the party's dependence on Trump as a message and motivator.

NORTH AMERICA

No need for Plan B, says Boris

Boris Johnson sees no reason to activate the Government's Covid Plan B, despite the high level of cases. Speaking to reporters during his trip to the G20 summit in Rome, the Prime Minister said only the Labour Party wanted tighter restrictions at the present time. His comments follow calls by the NHS Confederation and the British Medical Association for ministers to take steps to ease the growing pressures on the health service.

UK

Premier hails vaccine milestone

Victoria has reached its 80 per cent full COVID-19 vaccination target, drawing praise from Premier Daniel Andrews as the state reported its lowest daily case number in more than a month. A further 1036 locally acquired infections were recorded in Victoria on Sunday, along with 12 more virus-related deaths of people aged between 50 and 90. Their deaths take the state's toll from the current outbreak to 305 and 1122 since the start of the pandemic.

NEW ZEALAND

US raises concerns with China

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi as part of the Group of 20 summit ? an outreach designed to ensure that the intensely competitive relationship between the world's two largest economies doesn't veer into open conflicts. Senior State Department officials described the conversations as candid, constructive and productive.

NHS to offer vaccine at schools

Health teams will visit more than 800 schools across England this week to offer children aged 12-15 a coronavirus vaccine. Many more pupils returning to classrooms after the October halfterm break can get a jab at school, NHS England said. Alternatively, children can make an appointment to visit a vaccination centre using the national booking system which has also been opened to this age group.

MIQ escapees still on the run

Two positive community cases who fled the Jet Park Managed Quarantine Facility yesterday are still to be found, in the second breach of MIQ security this weekend. Joint Head of MIQ Brigadier Rose King said two positive community cases staying at the Jet Park Managed Quarantine Facility absconded at 4:45pm yesterday and are yet to be located. "MIQ is working with police to locate them," King said.

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WORLD

OCTOBER 31 (GMT) ? NOVEMBER 1 (AEST), 2021

YOUR DAILY TOP 12 STORIES FROM FRANK NEWS FULL STORIES START ON PAGE 6

UK

AUSTRALIA

US flies bomber over Mideast

The US Air Force says it flew a B-1B strategic bomber over key maritime chokepoints in the Mideast with allies including Israel amid ongoing tensions with Iran as its nuclear deal with world powers remains in tatters. The B-1B Lancer bomber flew Saturday over the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which 20 per cent of all oil traded passes. It also flew over the Red Sea, its narrow Bab elMandeb Strait and Egypt's Suez Canal.

WORLD

Deadline looms to solve row

The UK and France have only two days left to resolve their increasingly fractious differences over fishing rights before Paris' imposed deadline to introduce port restrictions and border checks. French officials have warned that it will bar UK fishing boats from some ports and tighten customs checks on lorries entering the country with British goods from Tuesday unless more licences for small boats to fish in British waters are granted.

UK

Person dies after boat capsizes

A person has died despite the frantic rescue and resuscitation efforts of lifesavers and bystanders after a fishing boat capsized off Wollongong with eight people aboard. Police say emergency personnel were called to waters off Waniora Point at Bulli, south of Sydney, after reports of a vessel overturning, shortly before 10:30am on Sunday. A team of critical care doctors and paramedics was also dispatched via three Ambulance Rescue helicopters.

NEW ZEALAND

Gulf nations unite against rival

Lebanese politicians have scrambled to resolve a diplomatic spat with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations, after comments by a Cabinet minister about the war in Yemen stoked their ire. Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates followed the Saudis with measures against Lebanon, increasing pressure on a crisis-hit country badly in need of foreign assistance amid a crippling economic and financial crisis.

Seal pups put on adorable show

The first grey seal pups of the season have been born at Horsey Beach in Norfolk, with volunteer wardens in place to help keep them safe. Peter Ansell, chairman of Friends of Horsey Seals, said the pupping season begins gradually but by mid-November they "start popping out all over the place" with hundreds of pups on the sand. The season runs until late January, and to help keep seals safe wardens have roped off designated viewing areas.

Ardern vows to halve emissions

The government has pledged to halve its net emissions by the end of the decade, a big increase on its previous pledge of 30 per cent. The government said the pledge equates to a 41 per cent reduction in real terms because of the way emissions are counted. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the boost means the country is now pulling its weight,. "New Zealand's enhanced contribution ... is in line with what's needed," Ardern said.

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OCTOBER 31 (GMT) ? NOVEMBER 1 (AEST), 2021

Glenn Youngkin speaks to supporters during a rally in Fredericksburg, Virginia. ? AP

NORTH AMERICA

Democrats battle to avoid disaster

For four years, nothing rallied Democrats like the push to get Donald Trump out of office. Now, they're not sure what to do without him.

Democrats in Virginia are scrambling to stave off disaster in the state's governor's race -- the most competitive major election since Trump left the White House.

The surprisingly tight contest has exposed the depth of the party's dependence on Trump as a message and motivator. Without him top of mind for many, and with headwinds from Washington, Democratic officials privately fear they may lose their first statewide election in Virginia in more than a decade on Tuesday.

Public polling has been shifting in Republican newcomer Glenn Youngkin's direction in recent weeks, while Democrat Terry McAuliffe, a former governor and close ally of President Joe Biden, has struggled to energize his base as Biden's approval ratings sink.

Republicans, consumed by infighting and crisis while Trump was in office, are suddenly optimistic they can win in a state Trump lost by 10 percentage points last year.

"Virginia is a very blue state -- I do not consider Virginia a purple state -- so the fact that we're this competitive speaks volumes about the state of our country and the popularity of Biden," said Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel.

A loss in the Virginia governor's race, long considered a bellwether for midterm elections, would trigger all-out panic among Democrats far beyond Virginia. The party is already wary about their chances in elections that will decide control of the House and Senate and statehouses next year.

Jaime Harrison, chair of the Democratic National Committee, acknowledged a McAuliffe loss would be a "doomsday" scenario. But he argued that Virginia Democrats would show up and pull off a win for McAuliffe.

"I'm not running around with my hair on fire, not at this point," he said.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, and Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi. - AP

NORTH AMERICA

Blinken raises concerns about Taiwan with China

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi as part of the Group of 20 summit ? an outreach designed to ensure that the intensely competitive relationship between the world's two largest economies doesn't veer into open conflicts.

Senior State Department officials described the conversations as candid, constructive and productive, saying that Blinken was clear about US concerns during the roughly hourlong meeting. The officials insisted on anonymity to discuss the exchanges.

One of the US goals is to maintain an open line of communication with China and set a virtual meeting later this year between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Blinken said at the meeting that China has increased tensions with regard to Taiwan and that America wants to continue its "one-China policy," which recognizes Beijing but allows informal relations and defense ties with Taipei. During China's National Day weekend in early October, China dispatched 149 military aircraft southwest of Taiwan in strike group formations, causing Taiwan to scramble aircraft and activate its air defense missile systems. Biden alarmed China shortly after by saying that the US has a firm commitment to help Taiwan defend itself in the event of a Chinese attack.

Asked in a town hall whether the US would come to Taiwan's defense, Biden said, "Yes, we have a commitment to do that." US officials immediately moved to clarify that there had been no change to US posture toward Taiwan.

China and Taiwan separated during a civil war in 1949. The US cut formal diplomatic relations with Taipei in 1979 in order to recognise Beijing. The US does not openly contest China's claim to Taiwan, but is committed by law to ensure the island can defend itself and to treat all threats toward it as matters of grave concern.

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OCTOBER 31 (GMT) ? NOVEMBER 1 (AEST), 2021

Prime Minister Boris Johnson arrives at the G20 summit in Rome. ? PA

UK

No need for COVID-19 Plan B, says Johnson

Boris Johnson sees no reason to activate the Government's Covid Plan B, despite the high level of cases.

Speaking to reporters during his trip to the G20 summit in Rome, the Prime Minister said only the Labour Party wanted tighter restrictions at the present time.

His comments follow calls by the NHS Confederation and the British Medical Association, as well as a number of prominent scientists, for ministers to take steps to ease the growing pressures on the health service.

Moving to Plan B for England would mean the return to working at home advice and the mandatory wearing of face masks, as well as the introduction of so-called vaccine passports.

The Prime Minister said that while the Government was closely monitoring the situation, there was no need to act at this stage.

"We're watching the numbers every day. Yes it's true that cases are high. But they do not currently constitute any reason to go to Plan B," he said.

"I think it's agreed among absolutely everybody, apart from possibly the Labour Party, so we're sticking with the plan."

The Prime Minister repeated his call for the over 50s to get the booster jab amid concern the protection provided by the vaccines is waning, particularly among older age groups.

"I think rather than thinking new restrictions, the best thing everybody can do is get that booster jab as soon as you're offered it," he said.

"It's a very important message. I think people don't quite realise that the first two jabs do start to wane.

"How sad, how tragic it would be if people who had other complications other compromises in their health got seriously ill because they were overconfident about their level of immunity and didn't get their booster when they needed it."

"So please please please can everybody get their boosters."

- PA

UK

NHS to offer COVID vaccine at schools

Health teams will visit more than 800 schools across England this week to offer children aged 12-15 a coronavirus vaccine.

Many more pupils returning to classrooms after the October half-term break can get a jab at school, NHS England said.

Alternatively, children can make an appointment to visit a vaccination centre using the national booking system which has also been opened to this age group.

NHS teams are set to visit hundreds of schools in the next week to offer children a jab.

More than 600,000 young people have been vaccinated since the jabs rollout was extended to include 12 to 15-yearolds at the end of September, NHS England said.

Some 163,000 young people received a jab in the week after the national booking system opened up to them from October 22.

A further 140,000 children have their vaccine booked over the next few weeks, NHS England added.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: "The vaccines are safe and will help keep children in the classroom.

"I encourage everyone to come forward for their jab to protect themselves and the people around them."

Dr Nikki Kanani, GP and deputy lead for the NHS Covid-19 vaccine programme, said: "As our children return to the classroom, our efforts to vaccinate children will not stop ? hundreds more schools will be vaccinating this week.

"It's really important that we continue with the same enthusiasm if we want to ensure children get to stay in the classroom with their fellow pupils this winter, and so I encourage all parents and guardians to head online and read the information on vaccinating your child, so you can make an informed decision."

Pupils are also being urged to get tested for coronavirus before returning to school to minimise disruption to lessons and to ensure families can "enjoy the best" of the festive season.

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OCTOBER 31 (GMT) ? NOVEMBER 1 (AEST), 2021

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews. ? AAP

AUSTRALIA

Premier hails vaccine milestone as cases fall

Victoria has reached its 80 per cent full COVID-19 vaccination target, drawing praise from Premier Daniel Andrews as the state reported its lowest daily case number in more than a month.

A further 1036 locally acquired infections were recorded in Victoria on Sunday, along with 12 more virus-related deaths of people aged between 50 and 90.

Their deaths take the state's toll from the current outbreak to 305 and 1122 since the start of the pandemic.

It is the state's lowest daily case figure since September 29 but came from 56,768 tests, more than 10,000 less than the previous day.

With 22,369 vaccine doses administered at state-run clinics, 80.4 per cent of Victoria's 16-plus population is now fully vaccinated.

Andrews has commended Victorians for reaching the target, a key marker in the state's reopening roadmap despite restrictions easing two days earlier.

"At the start of this month only half of Victoria was fully vaccinated," the premier wrote in a social media post.

"Thanks to Victorians coming forward in record-breaking speed to get vaccinated, today we've reached 80 per cent."

The next roadmap milestone will be when 90 per cent of Victorians 12 and over have received both vaccine doses, forecast on or around November 24, triggering an end to almost all COVID-19 restrictions across the state.

In more changes from Monday, fully vaccinated international travellers touching down in Victoria no longer need to quarantine and all school year levels across the state return to face-to-face learning.

Sunday marked the first day in months without Victorian officials fronting a daily COVID-19 media briefing, with key information and statistics issued instead through a media release.

There are 702 virus patients in hospital, 45 fewer than Saturday, pushing down the seven-day average to 757.

- RNZ

NEW ZEALAND

Two quarantine facility escapees still on the run

Two positive community cases who fled the Jet Park Managed Quarantine Facility yesterday are still to be found, in the second breach of MIQ security this weekend.

Joint Head of MIQ Brigadier Rose King said two positive community cases staying at the Jet Park Managed Quarantine Facility absconded at 4:45pm yesterday and are yet to be located.

"MIQ is working with police to locate them," King said. It follows an incident yesterday when a community case staying at the Novotel & Ibis MIQ facility in Ellerslie allegedly escaped at about 12:50pm, before being found by police and taken into custody at 1:14pm. King said this case had no contact with anyone in the community and there was likely to be a low risk to the public. But she said the fact that people have absconded from two of the country's MIQ facilities was "disappointing and unacceptable" and an investigation had been launched into how these events occurred. She said the facilities were not prisons and the individuals had "wilfully absconded". "There are rules in place for every single returnee from overseas and now the positive community cases, and we expect people to follow these during their stay in managed isolation or quarantine. This is so they can return to the community safely, while ensuring the safety of all New Zealanders. "Deliberate breaches like this can put the wider community at risk."

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OCTOBER 31 (GMT) ? NOVEMBER 1 (AEST), 2021

Royal Saudi Air Force F-15 Strike Eagles break away from a U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer over

the Red Sea. - AP

WORLD

US bomber flies over Mideast amid tensions

The US Air Force says it flew a B-1B strategic bomber over key maritime chokepoints in the Mideast with allies including Israel amid ongoing tensions with Iran as its nuclear deal with world powers remains in tatters.

The B-1B Lancer bomber flew Saturday over the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which 20 per cent of all oil traded passes. It also flew over the Red Sea, its narrow Bab el-Mandeb Strait and Egypt's Suez Canal.

The Strait of Hormuz has been the scene of attacks on shipping blamed on Iran in recent years, while the Red Sea has seen similar assaults amid an ongoing shadow war between Tehran and Israel. The Islamic Republic has denied being involved in the attacks, though it has promised to take revenge on Israel for a series of attacks targeting its nuclear program.

Fighter jets from Bahrain, Egypt, Israel and Saudi Arabia flew alongside the bomber.

Iranian state media did not immediately acknowledge the flyover. Iran's mission to the United Nations in New York did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The flyover comes after a pattern of such flights by nuclearcapable B-52 bombers since the Trump administration as a show of force to Iran. Trump in 2018 unilaterally withdrew America from Iran's 2015 nuclear deal, which saw Tehran agree to drastically limit its enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.

In the time since, Iran has abandoned all the limits of the deal and drastically reduced the ability of international inspectors to keep watch over their program. While Iran insists its program is peaceful, the US intelligence agencies, Western inspectors and others say Tehran had a structured military nuclear weapons program through the end of 2003.

President Joe Biden has said he's willing to re-enter the nuclear deal, but talks in Vienna have stalled as a hard-line prot?g? of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei took over as president.

Lebanon's Information Minister George Kordahi. ? AP

WORLD

Gulf nations unite against Lebanon

Lebanese politicians have scrambled to resolve a diplomatic spat with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations, after comments by a Cabinet minister about the war in Yemen stoked their ire.

Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates followed the Saudis with measures against Lebanon, increasing pressure on a crisis-hit country badly in need of foreign assistance amid a crippling economic and financial crisis.

The row is one of the worst rifts between the Gulf nations and Lebanon in years. Relations have been strained over growing Iranian influence in the small nation, where Saudi Arabia has traditionally been a powerful ally.

Saudi ambassador to Beirut Waleed Bukhari flew home after he was recalled by his government, according to airport officials in Beirut. Bukhari's departure came a day after Saudi Arabia ordered Lebanon's ambassador to Riyadh to leave within 48 hours and banned all imports from Lebanon.

Saudi Arabia has for decades been a huge market for Lebanese products.

The moves came as the Arab League chief expressed concerns about the deterioration of ties between Lebanon and wealthy Gulf countries over statements made by Information Minister George Kordahi.

The US State Department said in a statement: "We urge that all diplomatic channels remain open between the parties to ensure meaningful dialogue on the pressing issues facing Lebanon."

Lebanon's Foreign Minister Abdallah Bouhabib said Prime Minister Najib Mikati is in contact with foreign officials who asked him not to think about resigning. The minister added that he is in contact with the Americans to help solve the crisis.

Lebanon's Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi told the USbased Arabic-language Alhurra TV that Mikati has asked the international community, specifically the US, to help solve the crisis, and to open room for dialogue with Saudi Arabia over all pending issues.

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OCTOBER 31 (GMT) ? NOVEMBER 1 (AEST), 2021

- PA

UK

Deadline looms to solve Channel fishing row

The UK and France have only two days left to resolve their increasingly fractious differences over fishing rights before Paris' imposed deadline to introduce port restrictions and border checks.

French officials have warned that it will bar UK fishing boats from some ports and tighten customs checks on lorries entering the country with British goods from Tuesday unless more licences for small boats to fish in British waters are granted.

The row has threatened to boil over as Brexit minister Lord Frost accused France of a "pattern" of behaviour against Britain, with ministers in Paris having previously suggested they may restrict energy supplies to the UK and Jersey because of the disagreement.

The prime minister met with the European Union's top official, Ursula von der Leyen, in person while in Rome for the G20 summit to express his "concern" over France's behaviour.

In an escalation of the dispute, Frost has warned Brussels that the entire bloc will be in breach of the post-Brexit free trade deal terms with Britain if France carries out its threats.

The Conservative peer, in a series of tweets, said the UK was "actively considering" triggering legal proceedings included in the trade agreement to solve the issue.

"These threats, if implemented on November 2, would put the EU in breach of its obligations under our trade agreement," Frost said.

"So we are actively considering launching dispute settlement proceedings as set out in Article 738 of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA)."

A letter from French prime minister Jean Castex to European Commission president von der Leyen, in which he said the UK should be shown "it causes more damage to leave the EU than to stay in", has sparked fury in London.

Cabinet minister Lord Frost said the comments were "very troubling and very problematic".

A newborn grey seal pup on the beach at Horsey in Norfolk. - PA

UK

First seal pups of the season born at colony

The first grey seal pups of the season have been born at Horsey Beach in Norfolk, with volunteer wardens in place to help keep them safe.

Peter Ansell, chairman of Friends of Horsey Seals, said the pupping season begins gradually but by mid-November they "start popping out all over the place" with hundreds of pups on the sand.

The season runs until late January, and to help keep seals safe wardens have roped off designated viewing areas.

The group warned that if people get too close to the pups it may "cause the mother to abandon her pup, leaving it to starve".

Friends of Horsey Seals usually conducts a seal count, but could not complete it last season due to COVID-19 restrictions, Ansell said.

"When we stopped the count we were at well over 1500," he said.

"We were unable to go down there and complete the count but going on past history you could safely say there would be about 2500 born by the end of the season last year, no problem at all.

"We expect probably to exceed that total again this year. "It seems to go year on year the total increases by about 10 per cent." He said the majority of the marine mammals on the beach are currently adults, with at least two healthy pups born this week. "It doesn't really get into its full swing until the second or third week of November, and from then, for the next fortnight it really, really goes to town," said Ansell. "They start popping out all over the place and we end up with hundreds on the beach. "That's the time we pray we don't get high tides that wash them away, as happened last year when we lost about 50 or 60."

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OCTOBER 31 (GMT) ? NOVEMBER 1 (AEST), 2021

- AAP

AUSTRALIA

Man dies in NSW after fishing boat capsizes

A person has died despite the frantic rescue and resuscitation efforts of lifesavers and bystanders after a fishing boat capsized off Wollongong with eight people aboard.

Police say emergency personnel were called to waters off Waniora Point at Bulli, south of Sydney, after reports of a vessel overturning, shortly before 10:30am on Sunday.

A team of critical care doctors and paramedics was also dispatched via three Ambulance Rescue helicopters.

Police officers from Wollongong, the force's Marine Area Command and Surf Life Savers helped as eight people were retrieved and taken ashore.

Rescuers performed CPR on four patients until the arrival of paramedics.

One person could not be revived and died at the scene. Another was airlifted to Sydney's St George Hospital, a third to Liverpool Hospital and a fourth to Wollongong Hospital by road. All three were in a critical condition. Two patients were also taken Wollongong Hospital in a stable condition and the final two assessed on scene without requiring further care. Senior paramedic Norm Rees described the job as one of the most difficult he'd attended in 34 years of service. "Initial reports suggested there was several people clinging to the side of a boat that was quickly capsizing," Chief Inspector Rees said. "I want to say a huge thank you to the surf lifesavers and bystanders that risked their lives to try and save these people. They gave the them every chance of survival. "It was a heartbreaking scene ? what was meant to be a great day out on the water has turned into an absolute disaster."

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and minister James Shaw. ? RNZ / Dom Thomas

NEW ZEALAND

Ardern vows to halve emissions by 2030

The government has pledged to halve its net emissions by the end of the decade, a big increase on its previous pledge of 30 percent.

The government said the pledge equates to a 41 percent reduction in real terms because of the way emissions are counted.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the boost means the country is now pulling its weight,.

"New Zealand's enhanced contribution ... is in line with what's needed," Ardern said.

"Lifting our commitment is an investment ... that will benefit us all in the future."

The announcement comes ahead of the massive UN summit in Glasgow which officially kicks off tomorrow.

The government has been criticised for some of its plans, and delayed the final release of its Emissions Reduction Plan until May 2022.

"This decade is make or break for the planet," minister James Shaw said in a statement.

"The science shows we now have about eight years left to almost halve global greenhouse gas emissions.

"That's eight years for countries to make the necessary plans, put in place policies, implement them, and ultimately deliver the cuts.

"I am confident we can do it and in doing so open the door to a thriving world that is cleaner, healthier, and more equitable."

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